Quarterback

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Matt Schaub: A-

While Matt Schaub failed to throw for a touchdown again, one cannot criticize his performance. At all. Schaub effectively moved the ball down the field, and he made the big throws when he needed to. The offensive line gave Schaub enough time to throw, and he delivered.

Running Backs

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Arian Foster: A

Without a doubt, this was the best game of Arian Foster’s career. He ran tough, and his vision was incredible. His lateral quickness was a beauty to behold, and he essentially single-handedly carried the Texans’ offense.

James Casey: C+

James Casey did not factor in much during this game, but he did have a huge 20-yard reception for a first down that kept the Texans’ offense rolling.

Wide Receivers

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Andre Johnson: B

Not a superstar performance, but Andre Johnson contributed just as much as he needed to against a superb Bengals’ secondary. He made several first down receptions, which helped keep several Texans’ drives alive.

Kevin Walter: C

At least Kevin Walter had four receptions, because asides from that, he did nothing. But we Texans’ fans have come to expect that from Walter, and I’m sure he did his own fair-share of blocking for Foster.

DeVier Posey: D+

DeVier Posey played the majority of the game for the Texans, and the only reception he hauled in was wiped away by an offensive pass interference call. That was to be expected, though. Neither Kubiak nor Schaub have much trust in young, inexperienced receivers.

Tight Ends

Owen Daniels consistently got open for Schaub throughout the entire game, and he had his biggest game in a long time. If the Texans are to beat New England, he will need to come up big again.

Garrett Graham: B

While his numbers are not impressive, Garrett Graham made one of the biggest catches in the football game. On third down and the game on the line, Graham jumped up with defenders draped all over him, caught the ball and held onto it despite taking a scary hit.

Defensive Line

Antonio Smith had an OK game, but he really didn’t make any flashy or important plays. He pressured Dalton several times, but he never came up with a sack.

Shaun Cody: D

Shaun Cody was almost nonexistent this game. He did not record a single tackle, which is not something one would expect out of a starting nosetackle.

J.J. Watt: A

Although he was faced with double-teams all game long, J.J. Watt simply did what he does. He recorded a big sack against Dalton, he swatted down a pass and he was excellent against the run. If he is not named the Defensive Player of the Year, it would be a crime.

Linebackers

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Connor Barwin: B

Like Smith, Connor Barwin had a solid, but not flashy game. He pressured Dalton several times, and he also had a really great play against an attempted Bengals’ screen pass. Barwin exploded the play and knocked the Bengals back for several yards.

Barrett Ruud: D

Although he started at middle linebacker, Barrett Ruud only recorded one tackle. The Texans are definitely missing Darryl Sharpton and Tim Dobbins. To alleviate some of the criticism, though, the Texans played nickel for most of the night and kept Ruud of the field.

Bradie James: B+

Bradie James was solid against the run, and he played well in coverage. He held the Texans’ linebacking core together amidst all the injuries, and he certainly deserves some credit.

Brooks Reed: B+

Brooks Reed had a game like Barwin. He could have contributed more, but he did not hurt the Texans’ defense. He brought down Dalton when he was attempting to scramble for a first down, and recorded one of the Texans’ two sacks.

Secondary

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Johnathan Joseph: A

Like Foster and the offensive line, Joseph had his best game of the season. He shut down A.J. Green for the majority of the game, which is a major reason why the Texans came away with a victory. Joseph also had several nice tackles in open field, and he picked off Dalton for the Texans’ only turnover.

Kareem Jackson: A

Did you hear any of the Bengals’ secondary receivers’ names being called often. No? Well, you can thank Kareem Jackson for that. Jackson was excellent in coverage in one of the biggest games in his career.

Danieal Manning: B-

Manning did a solid job in coverage, but his tackle numbers were pretty disappointing. Manning is a physical player, and he normally contributes to the Texans’ run stopping efforts. He did not do that at all this game.

Glover Quin: A-

Like Manning, Glover Quin failed to contribute much to the run defense, but he was excellent in coverage. He broke up three passes, and his efforts were instrumental in shutting down Dalton and the Bengals’ offense.

Special Teams

Shayne Graham made all four of the field goals that he was called on to make. Cannot criticize him for anything.

Donnie Jones: B

Donnie Jones did a decent job punting, but he really did not blow me away with any exceptional plays.

Keshawn Martin/Danieal Manning: C+

The Texans’ return game was not very impressive, though Keshawn Martin looked better than Danieal Manning. Next week the Texans’ coaching staff should consider allowing Martin to return kicks, instead of Manning.